[Video] 100 Years of Leica Photography
Leica has proven to stand the test of time, as this year marks it's 100th year of Leica Photography. This means that for the past century, some of the most famous photographers from around the world have been capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments with their Leica camera. Moments that trace history and time with quality.
Leica is celebrating this time stamp with the announcement of the release of their special edition of the Leica M model, that will be available for a short time only. The limited "Edition 100" model is truly unique, as it comes with the silver chrome and the black paint versions and is technically identical to the current model of the Leica M, but is engraved with the ‘100 years of Leica’ logo on the top plate. Equipped with a 24-megapixel full-frame Leica Max CMOS sensor, designed especially for use with M and R Lenses and with a multitude of features like Live View, full-HD video and additional focusing methods, the Leica M combines the capabilities of innovative, state-of-the-art digital technology with the latest developments from decades of expertise in rangefinder construction. Yet another model that sets the bar even higher for other camera brands.
This Leica M "Edition 100" model is strictly limited to 500 sets, so be sure to click here, where there are a few other notable "Edition 100" models to look at as well. With this, Leica also features a short clip of some of the most famous and iconic photos shot with Leica, and it's pretty incredible. Take a look at the video below, and find more of their iconic photos here.
[Via US Leica]
[vimeo id="92052812"]
Fuji's Water Resistant Lens Raises Bar in Image Stabilization
Fuji releases it's first water resistant lens and it raises the bar in image stabilization... literally. As if the water resistant part of it wasn't enough, the new lens, XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, carries two high-precision gyro sensors, raising 5 stops of image stabilization. For example, if a photo is taken at 1/15s with stabilization on, the image will come out as crisp as the same shot taken at 1/500th. Impressively, Fuji is calling this the world’s most advanced image stabilization system on the market.
And the features don't stop there, other impressive features include 20 sealing points, “for a durable, weather-resistant and dust-proof design,”, and new air vents integrated into the interior and bottom of the lens barrel to keep dust and moisture away.
For a full listing of it's new features click here. The 18-135 will join Fuji’s current X-Series lineup in July for $900, and you can pre-order one at B&H by clicking here.
[Via PetaPixel]
Leica Announces Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens with New T-System
Photos by Leica
Leica sets the bar even higher this week as they announced their mirror-less interchangeable lens in the new T-System with auto focus. The new Leica T is still as beautiful as older Leica models, but finally incorporates a more innovative and more intuitive image quality that matches all but the best mirror-less cameras now on the market. It's two new lenses feature an amazing 16.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, at an 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 and a 35mm equivalent 23mm F2 prime. Going further, each has a shutter with a maximum speed of 1/4000 of a second and an ISO range of 100-12500. Leica is also promising a 11-23mm F3.5-4.5 wide-angle zoom and 55-135mm F3.5-4.5 tele-zoom lens too.
The body of each Leica T is cut from a solid block of aluminum and features a user-friendly touch screen, and an optional electronic viewfinder with a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. The camera body alone (available in black or silver) is priced at $1850. As far as the lenses go, the 16-56mm F3.5-5.6 zoom costs $1750, while the 23mm F2 prime is set a bit higher at $1950. Leica prices stay high, but are worth every penny, every time. C
Check out its photos and let us what you think.
[Via DP Review]
Turn iPhone Photos into Polaroids
Before mobile phones and Instagram, Polaroids were it as far as instant photography cameras. Although the corporation made the decision, in February 2008, to cease all production in favor of digital photography products, the Impossible Project has succeeded in reviving authentic Polaroid-style instant camera prints. What started as a Kickstarter fund last year, turned into a successful project that produced their unique iPhone polaroid printer, The Impossible Instant Lab, available for sale to the general public.
In case you haven't heard of this before, The Impossible Instant lab is a savvy kit that allows you to print a real Polaroid instant photo from your iPhone. Unlike other smartphone photo printers, the Impossible Lab doesn't connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Instead, it's literally a lightbox you place your phone in, which then takes a real Polaroid picture of the screen and prints it out. It also includes a free app that overrides your iPhone's brightness and color balance settings, guaranteeing a perfect exposure at all times. Clever.
Pricing from $299, it's not the most affordable printing device, but definitely worth it's value in the long run. Check out the following photos and see it in action with their vimeo video here.
[Via ThisIsColossal]
Be Careful What Camera App You Download
We all download apps whether we use iPhones or Androids but which ever store you use to download you should be conscious of what you're downloading to your smart phone. Now each store is by no means perfect but it is stated by Kaspersky Labs that, "98% of mobile malware targets Androids." With this high percentage Android users should look at the apps they are downloading because it can make the experience of using mobile apps a terrible one. With that being said Avast has uncovered a night vision camera app named "Cámara Visión Nocturna" Spanish for Night Vision Camera that is not all what it seems to be. When downloaded it asks permission to use certain apps on your phone like WhatsApp or ChatOn sending your number to it's servers where it signs you up for a messaging service without your consent or knowledge. From there more messages are sent out and the bill continues to rise without the user knowing what is going on. So when downloading apps be aware that things like this could be going on in the background so be aware of the apps you feel the need to download.
[Via PetaPixel]
Hello Kitty Teams Up with Playboy for Limited Edition Leica
In the latest camera news, a surprising merchandise mash-up was released. Famed kid-friendly Japanese icon Hello Kitty,and French clothing store Colette have teamed up with Playboy, the American men's magazine brand, for a limited edition Leica C camera. The odd trio was brought together by Colette to create an item for the store’s Hello Kitty x Playboy collection. Apparently, this coincides with the 40th anniversary for Hello Kitty, the 60th anniversary for Playboy, the 100th anniversary for Leica. As Leica isn't the only feature in this rare collection, there are only ten of these cameras made, and each feature Hello Kitty, wearing bunny ears, taking a photo on the front of the camera's body.
The camera is priced at $1,264, which is almost double the price for what Leica C is regularly priced at ($699). Still, this is one of the most affordable Leica limited editions we've ever seen. Check out the following photos for a closer look, and check out more of the collection here.
[Via PetaPixel]
Olympus Unveils New E-M10: Portable and Affordable
Just this week Olympus impressed the photography world with the unveiling it's new O-MD E-M10, which highlights their new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, and looks like it's quite the competition for the latest Fujifilm release. And they didn't stop there, they also announced a new 14-42mm zoom lens, a fast 25mm wide-angle lens, a body cap lens, and an impressive long zoom, creating a durable camera with plenty of accessories to match.
Although the new model looks very similar to the E-M5, it's proportionally smaller, feels more durable with it's metal body, and the best part: it's much more affordable. The E-M10 also has some pretty neat features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, a more advanced autofocus system, a sharper screen, and the same image processor as the 16-megapixel sensor found in the high-end E-M1. Basically, it gives you pro-style performance in a digital camera that is much easier to carry around.
The Silver and Black versions of the OM-D E-M10 will be available in stores in March, and will cost you $699 for the body only and $799 bundled with a kit including the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens. A release date for the accessories are yet to be announced.
You can learn a lot more about this camera by heading over to Olympus. For now, definitely check out the following photos.
[Via PetaPixel]
Fujifilm launches new all-black version of the FUJIFILM X100S
Photos by FUJIFILM Corp
In response to popular demand from customers around the world, FUJIFILM Corporation announced this week the release of an all-black version of the award winning, premium compact camera, FUJIFILM X100S. Released in January 2013, the FUJIFILM X100S showcased the world's first Hybrid Viewfinder and features their Fujinon 23mm F2 fixed single focal length lens and the amazing APS-C size X-Trans CMOS II sensor, offering an ever so clear 16.3 million pixel with an optical low-pass filter-less design. It allows you to capture the latest in premium digital quality with a reminiscent analog feel in handling.
Available now for pre-order for shipment in February 2014, the new X100S Black offers a discreet look along with its already quiet shutter release, making this camera absolutely perfect for street photography. Not only is the body now available in black, but the X100S accessories are available in black as well to coordinate.
Take a look!
[Via FUJIFILM Corp]
